Place: Corusant.
We reached Corusant today. I was able to make my way into the cockpit with Anakin and the captain to get a better look at this amazing world. When I was leaving my room, I noticed Obi-Wan standing in the hallway. I ignored him, walking past him, but I stopped in the cockpit as I noticed he was following me. I ignored him once more, still angry with him for laughing at me. I looked out over the city world, at the monumental towers and buildings, tall monoliths basking in the early morning sun. Obi-Wan was at my elbow at this point and when I turned to him with an exasperated sigh, he smiled broadly. "What are you doing?" I asked. His smile became wider. "I just wanted to see what your face looked like when you actually got to SEE Corusant." I glared at him. I shook my head in disgust but smiled. Finally satisfied, he went to find Qui-Gon.
As we walked off the landing platform and onto the floating docking bay to meet the Chancellor, I wondered what I should do, where I should go. Qui-Gon had his own personal business to attend to, as did the Queen. As I pondered this, I noticed the Chancellor and another man walking swiftly towards us. This man was tall and imposing, with a superior air and wore dark blue robes of office. I assumed that this was the Senator Palpatine that Padme had spoke of. She had told me but a few hours before, with a hopeful gleam in her brown eyes, that the Queen would meet with him here and discuss the plight of Naboo, the Queen's homeworld.
She explained what was happening there too. The Trade Federation had illegally taken over the planet of Naboo's trading system, cutting off all their communications in the process. They then landed their droid army upon the planet and took over the capital city of Thede. Almost everyone in the city was taken to prison camps, with the exception of the Queen, Amidala. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had rescued the Queen, Padme and her other handmaidens and a few soldiers, hijacking the Queen's personal ship. No wonder at first I had sensed that there was more to Qui-Gon than meets the eye!
I suppose that I should tell about the Queen. True, I have only seen her once, but she is a very memorable person. Padme tells me that she is just fourteen, but she seems so much older. Her short stature is made taller by her exotic wardrobe, her young face disguised as an old one through her pale makeup. Her face is painted all white, two dots of red sit on her youthful cheeks, and a stripe of red slashes her bottom lip. Padme tells me that these are symbols of the past of Naboo. The Queen's eyes are a deep brown, but they seem to do more than just see. They speak. When Qui-Gon spoke to her when he returned, her eyes seemed to say, 'Help me. Help my people, my world'.
As the two men drew nearer to us, I realized that I didn't like Senator Palpatine. I know, it is hard to know someone on a first glance, but I do have Jedi feelings and that helps. I don't know why I feel the way I do, but when I see him, I want to run and hide. I fear that he will hurt me. He seems so false behind that coy smile. He seems too sure of himself, but perhaps he has a right to be. Perhaps it is the long journey that makes me feel this way. It must be. I must not be thinking in my right mind.
The Queen spoke with the Senator and the Chancellor for a few moments before she walked off with the Senator. She motioned to her handmaidens and Anakin. Jar Jar followed behind not far behind him, his ears flip flopping as he tried to catch up. I looked around frantically, not knowing where to go. But then my eyes caught Qui-Gon's. He nodded in the direction of the departing handmaidens. I nodded back to him gratefully and ran after them.
Place: Corusant, Building of the Senators.
Anakin and I have been waiting outside Senator Palpatine's door for a very long time. Almost two hours it seems. He and the Queen had entered it talking intently and from the looks of things in the room, they were still talking the same way. During this time, Anakin and I caught up with each other on our adventures and reminisced on times gone by. Jar Jar merely paced back and forth, a daft look on his reptilian face. Occasionally he would stop his pacing to listen in on our conversation, but then he would return to pacing again. "And then, Padme said that I was a funny boy. But I'm sure she means that in a GOOD way. Don't you think so Elaina?" Anakin asked, finishing his recounting of the first time he had met Padme.
I smiled and nodded. "Certainly. Why?" Anakin blushed. "Well, nothing. Just wanted to make sure you know. That you thought the same." I looked at my friend curiously. "Anakin, do you like Padme?" Anakin's face turned bright red. "Of course! She's a very nice girl." He faltered. "But you like her more than a friend would?" I pressed. He brought his face up and grimaced. "Yes. I think, I love her." I smiled and patted his shoulder. "Is that a bad thing?" I asked with a smile. Anakin shook his head. "Oh no. It's just that, it's such a new feeling. It's altogether new to me and I don't know how to respond. You know? It's altogether different from the love I feel for Mom. Have you ever been in love Elaina?" He asked. I shook my head. "No. I don't think I ever will either." Anakin laughed. "Yes you will! You'll get married and be a Jedi Knight and have two children!" Suddenly, Anakin's face darkened in confusion. "I don't know where that came from 'Laina." He said, his face furrowed in confusion.
Before I had the chance to answer him, Amidala and her handmaidens emerged from the office. I looked for Padme to follow, but she was not among the handmaidens. When I looked down at Anakin, I noticed that his blue eyes were intently looking for her as well. He pulled the sleeve of one of the other handmaidens, Rabe, I think her name was. I keep getting the handmaidens mixed up, for after all, they all dress alike. "Where is the Queen going?" He asked in a whisper. She smiled and bent down to speak to him. "The Queen is going to her quarters to prepare to bring her case to the Senate." Then she straightened and began to walk briskly away as she saw the other handmaidens turn the corner.
Anakin and I looked at each other, unsure of what to do. But we were saved the wondering as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan rounded the corner. "Come on Anakin. I've arranged for the Jedi Council to have a hearing with you." Anakin's face lit up brightly like the sun that was now shedding it's light through the wide glass windows. "Really? All right!" He shouted loudly, jumping into the air. "Easy! You're not a Jedi yet." Obi-Wan said with a smile. I could tell that Anakin didn't even care. Just being able to see the Council was enough to satisfy him, for now.

Place: Corusant, Jedi Training Facility
I waited outside the door to the Jedi Council room with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. I was sad that I could not be inside with Anakin, but I knew it was best. It had been a long time. It would have been a boring time had Obi-Wan not suggested that we go to the Training Room to see how I handled my lightsaber. We walked inside the darkened room and I cringed. I've always hated the dark. It frightens me. I cringed, much to my disappointment. I had hoped to show Obi-Wan that I was not just a frightened slave girl. But he didn't do anything, just placed his large hand over mine and waved his other hand. I felt the Force emanate from him and bulbs of light flashed on all around the room. I looked up at the multi-colored lights in awe. They looked almost like a rainbow, it was so beautiful.
Obi-Wan looked at my enraptured face with what I think was pleasure, then he picked up two training sabers off the wall. I grabbed it and flipped on the switch, remembering the old training saber that my brother had made me use. The vibrant blue blade came to life in my hands and I decided to test it. I twirled it deftly along my fingers and then moved into attack position. Inwardly, a little voice said, "What do you think you're doing Elaina? Going up against a Jedi Knight? You'll be dead!" But I held my ground. Obi-Wan grinned and flipped on his switch, apparently thinking the same as me. I twirled the saber along my fingers and our sabers crashed together in a crash of sparks.
Sparks flying every which way, Obi-Wan attempted to knock me down, taking advantage of the distraction. I reached out with the Force to sense his position and blocked the blow accurately. I breathed a sigh of relief. This went on for about a half hour, the crazy sparring and blocking. When we switched off our sabers, panting, white sparks filled the room and settled on the metal floor with a sizzle. We were both panting and sweat was running down our faces. We had both pressed frantically for advantages, but to no avail. As I was sure that we would end the match, seeing as neither of us could get an advantage, my knees suddenly buckled underneath me. I fell to the floor, the training saber sliding across the marble floor.

Vaguely I heard Obi-Wan's voice calling my name, but though my eyes were wide open, I could not see. I only saw what was going on in my head. A fight, a boy, screaming. The boy stood there, yelling a name, screaming a name. It was almost like watching a hologram with the sound tape deactivated. I heard nothing, but saw everything. The pain in his blue eyes was indescribable, but I felt the pain. It was this pain that made me collapse. Finally I caught a glimpse at what made the boy yell. A figure, a figure of evil, dressed in black, standing triumphantly alone. The pain spread over me, but began to fade as a tall gangly boy, blaster in hand stood screaming at the other boy. The other boy merely stood still, blaster fire echoeing around him. Inwardly my mind focused on the other boy, the one with the blaster. His helplessness crept into my subconsciousness as I tried to feel, tried to reach out to both of them. But then everything faded.

Obi-Wan's anxious face rose into my vision. I sat up slowly and ran my hands across my face and to my surprise felt the beads of sweat fall off of them. I sat up against the wall. The only sound was my breathing and the sound of the training saber still buzzing across the room. I looked at it, almost thinking that the boy I had seen would take it's place. For a mere moment, he did. He stood there in shock, behind him the other youth stood alone, helpless, yelling silently. I shook my head and the phantasms disappeared in the dim glow of the multi-colored lights.

I looked up at Obi-Wan. "Are you alright? You, what happened to you?" I sat still before answering. "I, I don't know. I saw something. Someone. Two people, no three. Two boys and a person, I don't even know if it was a person, dressed all in black. I don't know what happened. I think that I should get up from this floor though." I said uneasily. Obi-Wan quickly grabbed my arm and lifted me cautiously to my feet. I leaned up against the wall, trying to regain my strength. Silence reigned for a few seconds before Obi-Wan spoke. "Well one good thing came out of this." I looked at him questioningly. He grinned. "We both know that you're an equal match for me, slave girl or not." I smiled and nodded my thanks, exhaustion taking me over.


"Elaina?" I opened my eyes once more. "Well, would you like to learn a few more techniques? I mean yours are fine. But just so you know a few more." He stuttered. That surprised me. He was a Jedi, obviously more skilled than I, but still willing to teach me. But he was waiting for an answer. I smiled and stood. "I'd like that. I'm always looking for a chance to expand my moves." I said generously. A look of relief came across Obi-Wan's face and he stood, showing me a new position. We spent another hour and a half in the training room. For the first hour, Obi-Wan taught me new moves. As his strong hands positioned mine on the handle of the lightsaber, he seemed pleased that I was so quick to learn. The next half hour the two of us watched the other students perform their exercises. Obi-Wan watched the young students with a look of remembrence. I watched them in fierce concentration, making sure to remember their good form and to apply that to my performance. Obi-Wan looked over at me, and our eyes met. He smiled, but wouldn't elaborate on his thoughts. I tried to reach into them, but he turned to me with a smile. He had blocked them away my touch.
We finally walked back to the door and saw Qui-Gon standing and talking with an alien in Jedi robes. Qui-Gon motioned to us and we quickly approached him. Obi-Wan walked into the room, but Qui-Gon stopped as I grabbed his hand. "Master, please, may I come in with you?" I asked, pleading with him inwardly. He gazed at me for a moment, then sighed. "Very well. But you must wait by the door for us." He said with resolution. We walked into a large, circular room, it's floor made of exquisite marble. The walls were not walls at all, but large windows looking out over Corusant.
All of the red plush chairs were occupied by various Jedi Masters. I gazed upon them, looking for a certain one. Yoda. My brother had told me that he was one of the greatest Jedi Masters living, despite his size, and he was held in high esteem by the Senate and the other Jedi Masters. Unfortunately I didn't know what he looked like. There were so many creatures from different worlds that I didn't know which was which. But Obi-Wan had told me a little about him. "Basically he's the shortest of the Masters." Obi-Wan said with a chuckle. "How will I know him from THAT description?" I had asked him. "You'll know by the queer way he talks." He had said. He wouldn't say any more, so I had to figure it out myself. I decided to let Qui-Gon do the job for me. He, Obi-Wan, and Anakin stood in the center of the room, in front of the Jedi Council for all to see.
Then one of the masters, an alien with a long pointed head, spoke. "The Force is strong with him." Though he didn't show it, I could tell that Qui-Gon was impressed, triumphant in fact. "He is to be trained then?" He asked, his pleasure showing in his eyes. Then a dark skinned master with almost cold, dark eyes spoke. "No. He will not be trained." He said solemnly. I looked to Qui-Gon in shock. His blue eyes were wide and he worked his lips angrily as he put his hands on his hips in defiance. "No?" He asked coldly. The dark skinned man nodded. "He is too old." This blew me away. Anakin? Too old? It was insane! He couldn't be refused because he was too old! Could he? Then, what would become of me? I remembered something my brother once said, "Not everyone will become a Jedi."
I looked at Anakin sympathetically. All the bravado from that afternoon had abandoned him, leaving him alone, crushed, and emotionally drained. I could sense it. I looked at Obi-Wan to see his reaction. He stood there silently, but the look on his face infuriated me. It said, "I told you so." I clenched my fists. Just then Qui-Gon stepped forward, recovering from his shock. "I will train him then. I take Anakin Skywalker as my Padawan Learner." He said, placing his hands on Anakin's shoulders. A glimmer of hope came into Anakin's big blue eyes. I looked at Obi-Wan. He was staring at Qui-Gon, his mouth slightly open, his eyes betraying his thoughts. He didn't have to hide them from me this time. They whispered to my soul, "You betrayed me for him? You betrayed me?"
"An apprentice you have Qui-Gon. Impossible to take on a second." A quiet voice remarked from the front of the room. I looked at the speaker. He was a small pale green creature, with large ears, but a wisened and wrinkled face. I knew then that this was Yoda. I sensed it. "Then Obi-Wan can teach him." Qui-Gon insisted. On instinct, Obi-Wan stepped forward, but his heart was not in the step. "There is little more he can learn from me. He is headstrong and has much to learn of the living Force but he is capable." Qui-Gon said in a wheedling tone. "I AM ready to face the trials." Obi-Wan insisted. Yoda looked at them in thought. "We will decide who is ready."
The dark-skinnned man seemed ready to speak but, I am almost ashamed to say this, but I spoke first. Yes, I did. "Master Yoda, may I speak with you?" Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Anakin and the whole Jedi Council turned to look at me. My mouth dried. The brave, insisting words that I had been about to speak were gone. "What is your name?" Yoda's soothing voice entered into the frightened corner of my brain like a smooth wave on the seashore. "My name is Elaina Solo, Master Yoda." I said, managing a small bow. He nodded and waved his hand, gesturing to the middle of the room. I stood beside Obi-Wan and took a deep breath. "Elaina Solo, something to say have you?" I nodded, took another breath and began to speak bravely. "Master Yoda, I think you should allow Obi-Wan to be Anakin's master."
A general murmur erupted around the room, but Yoda silenced them with a wave of his hand. "Why do you think this?" He asked. I spoke again, but most of the fear had left me, and now I relished speaking in the Jedi Master's presence. "Because Master, I have seen how the Force flows through him and how well he uses his instincts. He trusts the Force and lets it decide his course of action. I believe that he would be a wonderful teacher. Qui-Gon taught him well." I looked to Obi-Wan. A glimmer of thanks passed through his blue eyes, but nothing more. Yoda merely nodded as the dark-skinned man again began to speak. "Now is not the time for this." He said reprimandingly. "The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor and Queen Amidala is going back to Naboo, which will put pressure on the Federation." He said, concerned. "And draw out the Queen's attacker." The Master who had spoken first remarked.
"Go with the Queen to Naboo." Qui-Gon nodded in obvious reluctance. "This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith." The dark-skinned man insisted, almost pleaded. "May the Force be with you." Yoda said quietly. All of us bowed to Yoda and the Masters and silently walked out. When we were in the hallway, I gently placed my hand on Qui-Gon's sleeve. "I'm sorry Master. I'm sorry I disobeyed. but I felt that," I couldn't continue for the shame that I felt. "That you had to say it. I know." Qui-Gon finished. I nodded. "I understand. But you must learn to control your feelings." He said gently, but firmly. I nodded in resolution.
I turned to Anakin. He was speaking to Obi-Wan softly. Obi-Wan's face was set and firm. It seemed that Anakin was apologizing. As he did, Obi-Wan walked away from him in midsentence and sat on one of the chairs in the hallway, ignoring him. Qui-Gon sighed and called Anakin. Anakin gave one more beseeching look at Obi-Wan, then trotted off after Qui-Gon. At that moment, I thought of Obi-Wan, not as a Jedi, but as a selfish, rude child. He looked like one as well, sitting there hunched in that chair. I approached him. "Obi-Wan." He looked up at me with his resentful blue eyes, which made me even angrier. "Obi-Wan Kenobi right now you were acting like a spoiled brat!" I said angrily.
At that Obi-Wan jumped up. "This would never have happened if Qui-Gon hadn't picked up that boy!" He almost shouted. "What did Anakin ever do to you?" I retaliated. We were now in each other's faces, not exactly yelling, but talking loud enough to show our anger. "What did he do? He made Qui-Gon denounce me that's all!" Obi-Wan hissed. "And said that you were worthy to become a Jedi Knight! That's all!" I retaliated. "He," Obi-Wan started again, but I cut him off. "Listen to me Obi-Wan Kenobi. That boy did you no wrong. It was Qui-Gon's own decision to help him become a Jedi. You are talking nonsense and to throw away your relationship with Qui-Gon over some misunderstanding, it's not wise Obi-Wan." He finally looked me in the face. Most of the sulkiness and frustration had left, but it was still there, still hiding behind his face. "Now you know why Qui-Gon got me for free." I said solemnly as I walked away from him down the marble hall.